Hello from the Sea!

Well - where to begin....Yesterday we arrived in Sicily, Italy at around noon. Our tour took us to a vinyard in Messina, Italy just below the Volcano on Mt. Etna. It was quite something to see - we took pictures of the lava flow and the steam comming off the top Wow! When we arrived at the vinyard we were served our first white wine & appetizers, including greek olives, bruschetta, mozzerall cheese in olive oil, sun dried tomatoes to name a few. Next it was into the dinning room which was a convered barn - they served us another white with pasta, egg plant, italian sausage, tomotoe & onion salad. We were served two red's with dinner & one desert wine with an almond cookie, yummie! In the courtyard we finished with very (did I say VERY) strong coffee & Grappa (if you wanted). I chose no, but Rick tried a drop or two in the coffee. It's a very strong white wine made from the grape skins, very intoxicating .. I wouldn't suggest it in very large quantities! Our guide was a local there & took very good care of us, the tour was very interesting and he provided many historical facts along the way. Tomorrow we will tour Athens and try & get some shopping in. Yes, girls we will look for something you would enjoy! It's going to be very hot tomorrow in Athens - we'll leave the ship at 12is and tour four about 4 hours.

I forgot to mention that we did a panoramic tour of Roma before we left Friday. It was incredible - and yes, they refer to it as Roma not Rome as we are used to. So many pictures to share! Can't wait to see you all, with Much Love & missing you,

MOM & DAD